JUNE 2019
California's Surgeon General makes Kern County "Listening Tour" stop
Roundtable Event brings together local leaders

California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris paid a visit last week to Kern County on her statewide "listening tour."

She welcomed representatives from all corners of the healthcare, childcare and education fields across the county to a morning roundtable.

The event was an opportunity for our local leaders to explain to the surgeon general's office the challenges that exist in our community, as well as share efforts that are underway. First 5 Kern assisted her office in organizing the visit.

Surgeon General visits Delano preschool

Dr. Burke Harris (pictured with student Renata Viramontes) concluded her trip to Kern County with a visit to the First 5 Kern-funded SRI Preschool classroom at Albany Park II Preschool in the Delano Union School District (photo by Mike Bledsoe).


DID YOU KNOW...
California is one of only four states to currently have their own surgeon general (or similar) position. The first was Pennsylvania (Physician General) in 1996. Arkansas, Florida and Michigan (from 2003-2010) are the others.
RFP BIDDER'S CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DETAILS

First 5 Kern will host a trio of Bidder's Conferences on June 25-26, for the purpose of explaining the Request for Proposals process.

The three events will be identical in their message; the various times are only to allow for attendees scheduling. Visit our Eventbrite pages to register.

Conference #1 - June 25, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
Conference #2 - June 25, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
Conference #3 - June 26, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

Seating for each conference is limited. Due to available space, we ask that no more than three people attend from each program planning to apply.
Funded Program Spotlight:
Bakersfield Adult School Health Literacy Program
In each issue of Handprints we shine the spotlight on one of the programs that receives support from First 5 Kern. This month we look at the Bakersfield Adult School Health Literacy Program.

The Bakersfield Adult School hosts a child development center on-site, providing an important resource for parents taking the steps to continue their education. With programs for toddlers and preschool children during the day, there is also an evening child care option that enrolls children up to 10 years old, allowing BAS students to take night classes.

Within the Children's Center at the school, First 5 Kern helps fund the health literacy program, which includes parent/child workshops and focuses on educational and physical development for children, while stressing the importance of eating healthy and staying active. They introduce new vegetables to the kids, maintain the children's garden, and host monthly parent education events. There is also instruction for parents on how to read to their children and help them promote literacy within the home.

The Children's Center at the Bakersfield Adult School held their graduation ceremonies this week.

Congratulations go out to all the kids moving on from preschool programs to the Big Kids' schools throughout Kern County!
First 5 Kern Commission meeting June 5
First 5 Kern's bi-monthly commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 5 at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools building, at 1300 17th St. in downtown Bakersfield.

Get ready for Summer Reading!
The Kern County Library is ready to launch its 2019 summer reading program. They have events lined up all summer long at locations throughout the county to celebrate reading, as well as a guest readers and even lunches at select branches.

The program runs in June and July, and kicks off June 1 at the Beale Library in Bakersfield with a free Touch-A-Truck event from 9:00 a.m. through Noon.

DID YOU KNOW...

Research has shown that kids who don't read over the summer months can lose up to three months of reading progress. And the effects can be cumulative, meaning that the lack of a summer reading schedule for a child in kindergarten could set them back a full year by the 4th grade.

CSUB Summer Reading Skills Program

CSU Bakersfield Extended Education will again offer the Summer Reading Skills Program to families throughout Bakersfield and Lancaster in 2019. The program is divided up by grade, and starts with preparation for Kindergarten.

First 5 Kern supports KidsFest 2019

The rain stayed away long enough for a successful KidsFest 2019! First 5 Kern was proud to be a part of the fun by sponsoring the Choo Choo Train - decorating it with the Talk.Read.Sing. birds. Which bird's car did you catch a ride on??
Kid-Friendly Recipe...
Avocado, Lettuce, Tomato & Turkey Wrap

The kitchen is a great place for kids to learn from a very young age. Measuring ingredients, using utensils, following instructions, even the science between hot and cold, are all opportunities for them to learn. This is a quick, easy, and tasty recipe for your kids to try at home!

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped lettuce
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1 tablespoon Ranch dressing
1/2 cup chopped avocado
4 slices turkey lunch meet, chopped
1 large (10") flour tortilla

Directions:
  1. Put lettuce, tomatoes, and Ranch dressing in a medium bowl. Stir to combine.
  2. Add avocado and turkey. Stir gently.
  3. Pour onto tortilla. Wrap like a burrito.
  4. Cut wrap in half and share with a friend!

Servings: 2 Serving size: 1/2 wrap Prep time: 5 min.

This kid-friendly recipe can be found in the book KIDS GET COOKIN'! published by the California Department of Public Health. Share pics of you and your kids making this recipe with us on Instagram, @First5Kern!
First 5 Kern
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